Yvette's Inner Geek Blog

Anything with the keyword geek in it captures my attention because I am always interested in its usage. Not just whether it’s being used as a noun or verb, but whether it’s used in an insulting or admiring manner and how the stereotype is changing over time.

When I assembled the first version of the Geek Test in 1999, the dictionary definition of geek was “1. An odd or ridiculous person. 2. A carnival performer whose show consists of bizarre acts, such as biting the head off a live chicken.”

In 2002, when I started creating innergeek.us and researching the nature of modern geeks, I was amazed to discover that the entry for geek on (then shiny/new) Wikipedia still reflected the “traditional” definition of geek. Though I’m no Wikipedian, I registered so that I was able to add more current information—and it’s been tweaked and updated over the years by others to create a very full meaning of the word geek.

So as an avid student of geekology, I naturally watched the first season of “Beauty and the Geek” when it aired on the CW network in 2006, plus a few episodes here and there in later seasons. I have mixed feelings about the show as it relates to the stereotype of geek.

Granted, it’s a reality show produced by Ashton Kutcher. But it’s only the third TV series to contain the word geek in the title—the first was the undervalued and prematurely canceled comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks in 1999-2000. Then there was the Comedy Central game show Beat the Geeks in 2001-2002.

Now, I like the idea of expanding people’s world views through forced cooperation between individuals with (apparently) little in common. Many of Beauty and the Geek’s participants also seem to come away from the show with a better sense of self. Or at least episodes are edited that way. What I don’t like, though, is the polarization of the two sides that perpetuate the stereotypes in the eyes of the viewer.

Back in December, I came across this casting call for geeks:

SEEKING (LOVABLE) GEEKS 21+

We are once again looking for intelligent and quirky guys who are 21+ with a high IQ or a savvy intellect. If you are more likely to be featured on Jeopardy rather than The Bachelor then this show could make you richer in life and even love!

FINALLY, BEING SMART COULD PAY OFF WITH A MAJOR PRIZE!

Are you sick and tired of those reality shows featuring the attractive man with not much substance? We’re turning the tables and showing America that smart and quirky guys have more to offer. If you can teach a beauty a thing or two AND have something to learn from them, then this is your perfect opportunity!

COME BE A PART OF A SHOW WHERE INTELLIGENT GEEKS FINISH FIRST AND RICH (And get some much needed advice from the Beauties)!

Whether you’re a movie buff, chess whiz, mensa member, computer nerd, d&d leader, or spend your nights playing rpg’s, or just need advice from the beauties then…

AUDITION TODAY AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER (We dare you)!

The polarized stereotypes of pretty-but-dumb-girl and unattractive-but-smart-guy shadowed me throughout my youth as I struggled to survive both socially and academically. If you’re a female reading this blog, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about: being smart often draws a hard line between you and the pretty-and-popular girls to whom adolescent guys were typically attracted.

What helped me was when I finally realized that I didn’t want to date the guys who didn’t appreciate my intelligence or were intimidated by the fact that I can spell and define midichlorians*—not to mention have a lively conversation about their relation to the Force.

There was a little mix up in the 2007 “Beauty and the Geek” show when one of the “couples” consisted of a boy beauty and a girl geek (see photo). But that was just a different flavor of stereotyping rather than a nod toward geek gender equality. I mean, sure, there are some geek girls who look and act like that. But just like the broad spectrum of geek guys who exist, not all girl geeks are the same. And it would have been more fair to dedicate an entire season to girl geeks and boy beauties so that the geek girl stereotype wasn’t so narrow.

Why do I have such a problem with gross generalizations and stereotypes of what a geek is? Because I think that geeks are defined by their unique quirks rather than their conformity. (I, for example, would LOVE a pair of keyboard pants, even if they don’t look great on me.) Having unique quirks (and often obsessions related to them) is quintessential to being a geek, but the damn stereotypes that are perpetuated by shows like “Beauty and the Geek” really make it hard for non-geeks to understand why we’re so proud to be geeks. It even makes it hard for some geeks to admit that they’re geeks.

And then there’s the whole “geek vs. nerd” debate. I would argue that most of the contestants on “Beauty and the Geek” are more nerds than geeks, even though they are recruiting for quirks. On my list of books to read, right after “The Geeks’ Guide to World Domination: Be Afraid, Beautiful People” by Garth Sundem, is “Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them.” It’s written by child and family psychologist David Anderegg and will hopefully provide me with more formal data and insight into the difference between geeks and nerds—which I will then share with you.

Until then, I look forward to reading your comments about geek stereotypes and geeks vs. nerds.

*I know some people prefer to use a hyphen and spell it midi-chlorian, but I’m not one of them.